Robert Claims Slice Of Challenger History With Burnie Title

It has been a historic week on the ATP Challenger Tour. Former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori is stealing the spotlight with a run to the final at the $125,000 event in Dallas, but the Japanese star’s comeback to professional tennis is not the only headline-grabbing story on the circuit.

At the age of 37 years and 8 months, Stephane Robert became the second-oldest winner in Challenger history on Saturday in Burnie, Australia. The Frenchman routed Daniel Altmaier 6-1, 6-2 in just 63 minutes to lift the trophy. Only Dick Norman was older (38 years, 1 month) when he claimed the title in Mexico City in 2009.

The win for Robert continues a hot streak for the 37-year-old, who has now captured two Challenger crowns in three months (Kobe, Japan) and also reached the final in Izmir, Turkey, in September. Having ascended to a career-high of No. 50 in the ATP Rankings in 2016, nine-time Challenger champion Robert is surging towards a Top 100 return in his comeback from injury. He is projected to rise to No. 164 on Monday.

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